Leonard J. Moriarty

Beloved son, brother, uncle, godfather, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Leonard John Moriarty, age 85, long time resident of Greenbelt, MD currently residing in McLean, VA passed away at Fairfax Hospital on November 18, 2020 after complications from a fall.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on November 28, 1934 to James and Honora Moriarty, Len was the quintessential New Yorker. He is predeceased by his parents as well as three of his siblings and their spouses: Joan and Jerry O’Neill, Jimmy and Rosa Moriarty, Pat and Frank Adamcik, and John Wagnes.

Len graduated from Gannon University in Erie, PA in 1956 after attending via a basketball scholarship. He remained close with his fraternity brothers, classmates, and their Erie families. Len later earned Master’s Degrees in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Maryland and the American University.

After college, Len joined the Officer’s Training School with the US Army. He was stationed in Korea for six months after the war where he worked in intelligence. He received an Honorary Discharge in April, 1964.

In 1963, Len married Ann Kerfoot Lawless, originally from Dublin Ireland, and widow of Pat Lawless. Len adopted her children, Colleen and Michael. Len was blessed to have a close relationship with Ann’s late husband’s family and will be missed by the Lawless and Theis families. Len is predeceased by his wife, Ann, and daughter, Colleen Wagner.

The Moriarty Family spent over 50 years living in Greenbelt, MD, where Len worked as a mathematician at Goddard Space Flight Center for more than 30 of those years. Both Len and Ann were active parishioners at St. Hugh of Grenoble Catholic Church.

After retiring, Len spent much of his time on the golf course, traveling with Ann, and enjoying his seven grandsons: John Wagner, Danny and Mitchell Moriarty, and Aidan, Liam, Collin, and Roan Toole.

After his wife Ann passed in 2015, Len moved to Northern Virginia. He lived with his daughter Kerry and son-in-law Steven Toole for several years before he moved to The Crossings and recently Larmax Homes. Len was well liked and the family is very appreciative for the excellent care he was given by the staff at Larmax. Len was known for his spunk and character. He was a helpful caregiver to his fellow residents. He survived Covid-19 in June.

Len is survived by his children Michael and Julie Moriarty of CA, Kerry and Steven Toole of VA, Brendan Moriarty of CA, and Noreen and Scott Crawford of MD. He will be greatly missed by his sister Mary Wagnes of Bradley Beach, NJ and 23 nieces and nephews in the New York and New Jersey area, in addition to Ann’s sisters Sheila Hughes and Margaret Carberry and sisters-in-law Jean and Mary Kerfoot of Dublin, Ireland and more than 20 Irish nieces and nephews.

Family and close friends are invited to a Catholic Funeral mass at St. Hugh’s Church in Greenbelt, MD on Wednesday, November 25. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Wheaton, MD. There will be no wake or repass due to Covid-19 restrictions.

A maximum of 100 people will be permitted in the church with a mask and must adhere to six feet of social distance. A maximum of 25 people will be permitted at the gravesite. The family understands that many will not feel comfortable attending, so they ask that you keep Len in your prayers. A Zoom or other link will be posted for those who wish to watch remotely. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Len’s name.